Fitch, Yancey in GOP treasurer runoff

Aug. 3, 2011

Written by

Cassandra Mickens

fast facts

Lynn Fitch led the Republican primary race for state treasurer Tuesday night based on early returns, but did not have enough votes to prevent a runoff.

Fitch, 49, executive director of the State Personnel Board, will face state Sen. Lee Yancey, 43, in the Aug. 23 runoff.

Fitch had 37 percent of the vote with 1,624 of 1,873 precincts reporting, compared to Yancey's 34 percent.

"I'm very humbled and honored to be in this position," Fitch said from her election return watch party at the Old Capitol Inn. "This is a great statewide win, and this shows people are interested in having a qualified individual be their leader in the treasurer's office."

Yancey, a first-term state senator and investment adviser, watched the election returns over pizza and soda from the Fox Bay Clubhouse in Brandon. Throughout the night, Yancey was confident he'd have a spot in the runoff.

"We had more volunteers, more signs, more groundwork than anyone else," he said. "We're going to pour it on like thunder and lightning."

The third candidate, Lucien Smith, 30, former budget adviser and legal counsel to Gov. Haley Barbour, carried 29 percent of the vote.

From Brent's Drugs in Fondren, Smith said he would throw his support behind the runoff winner.

"At this point, I've called Lynn and Lee to congratulate them on moving forward," Smith said. "My plan is to make sure we have a Republican treasurer in November."

On the campaign trail, the Republican contenders shared similar views on key issues such as bond debt. They each advocated reasonable bond issuance strategies so that what's being issued in a given year does not exceed the amount that was paid off the previous year.

They also touched on better funding for the state retirement system. Each advocates different benefit structures for new hires, while preventing significant changes in employee contributions and benefits for current employees and retirees.

The winner of the Republican primary will face Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran in the Nov. 8 general election.

Moran, 55, was unopposed in Tuesday's Democratic primary. Moran has said she would use the treasurer's office to create jobs and strengthen the state's college savings plan.

Before being elected mayor in 2005, Moran previously served as director of Jackson County Economic Development and managing director of Mississippi's European Office in Frankfurt, Germany.

Tate Reeves, state treasurer for the past eight years, chose to run for lieutenant governor.

In addition to overseeing the state investments and accounts, the treasurer serves on a three-person bond commission that authorizes projects approved by the Legislature.